Welcome to the Time Capsule — a weekly newsletter that discusses the practicalities of life and explores the wisdom, ideas, and events of the past to help you build a better future.
💭 Quote of the Week
The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.
Thomas Jefferson
✏️ On The Existence of God
I recently had a conversation with a couple of friends about religion and the existence of God. During the conversation, I was able to solidify some of my opinions on the existence of God.
Firstly, I think that whether or not God exists does not matter. If it makes one’s life easier to navigate, if one is able to find peace and healing and guidance by living in a religious framework, that is more than enough upside to outweigh any potential doubts about God’s existence. I feel God’s presence in my life in a very visceral way, and whether or not this is all in my head is irrelevant when I consider the many trials and tribulations He has helped me through. I believe that those who truly open themselves up to a pure religious experience of any kind will find it hard to return back to a life of atheism or agnosticism. The experience is simply undeniable.
That being said, I found that my beliefs on the afterlife are a bit undeveloped. In Christianity, there is the idea that you will eventually have to own up to the transgressions that occurred during your life. This makes the call to follow in the path of Christ quite a significant cross to carry. To say that there is a heaven for the good and a hell for the evil seems too black and white for me. I think there must be some form of purgatory, a place where the flawed humans of the world (all of us) can in some way reconcile with God without being condemned to an eternity of suffering in hell. Of course I don’t know, but that’s just what seems reasonable to me: to expect perfection from any human is unfair. The Christ-like ideal is perfection worth striving for, but one that is arguably unattainable.
📸 Photo of the Week
📖 Book of the Week — Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson
A fascinating look into the life of one of the modern world’s greatest minds. Steve Jobs is a great example of what is possible with a tenacious, charismatic, and powerful persona.
I have found it particularly interesting how flawed he was despite his genius: many of those who were close to him said he had a manipulative, cold nature that was both hurtful and effective.
Being smart or successful doesn’t necessarily make you a good person.
💡 Food for Thought
🔭 Sunday Best
The Dawn of Uncivilization — on the war in Ukraine and the emerging post-American order, by Peter Savodnik.
Healthcare’s Future Depends on Attracting and Retaining Creative Minds — innovation is required if we are to find solutions to issues in the field.
Let It Flow — by Grover Washington. Certified banger.
Thank you,
AT